Independence Day for Kids Lesson Plan? The 4th of July is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start preparing for Independence Day! If your kids are looking forward to celebrating this year, then here’s a lesson plan that will be perfect for them.
This is a fun and easy way to teach your children about Independence Day and what it means. It includes both teacher instructions as well as activities that can be done together with the class or in smaller groups.
Independence Day for Kids Lesson Plan
We pulled together a little background information, printable worksheets to download and use, and a few fun craft ideas for you to do with the littles.
Why Do We Celebrate The 4th Of July?
The 4th of July has been an important holiday but today, more and more people do not know why we actually celebrate this day. If you are not up to date on your history of the United States, July 4th, 1776 is the day that the colonies decided to declare themselves independent of Britain.
By writing a very detailed decree, they decided that they no longer would need to be governed by the Kings of England that had been so very unjust to the colonists in the years before. On July 4th, America was born. We call the 4th of July Independence Day because this day was the day they declared independence from Great Britain.
Today, we celebrate the fact that we are a free nation that is no under the rule of another. But, there is more to the celebration of independence than just the fact that this is the birthday of the United States. In fact, there are many goals and ideas that are represented in this celebration that until this day we fight for and protect around the world.
The Declaration of Independence, the actual decree in which was signed the independence of the United States, stands as a symbol for all of the things that we, as Americans, believe in. What are the symbols that it stands for?
The right to live with the freedoms of religion, without persecution, and with the ability to think and do for yourself.
The courage it takes to protect freedom. Just. Wow. It took the individuals that signed the Declaration a great deal of courage to do so as they could have been hung for treason. We use this symbol as a means to remind us that courage is often needed in times when our freedoms are threatened.
A symbol that people can live in a country that is governed by its people and that every person in that country is a very important person for its well-being.
We celebrate the 4th of July for a number of reasons. We talk about how the United States of America was born and how many have died for that to happen. We celebrate the fact that we, as a nation, want all people to be free. And, we realize that without the courage and bravery of all those that came before us, we would not have the freedoms that we hold so very dear to us.
If that doesn’t give you some vocabulary to work with – this should help!
Printable Independence Day for kids lesson!
You can get my 12-page workbook right here and get started! Just print out the activities to do with your kids and cut them into manageable pieces. Give each child a copy of one activity at a time to spread it all out. If they’re too young for scissors, then consider cutting the papers ahead of time and passing them around when it’s time to start working!
And yes, I give you answer sheets in their also. (You’re welcome)
See it in our store HERE: 4th Of July Vocabulary Set, Vocabulary Set, Printable Download, Instant Download, Digital Download, 4th of July, STEM, STEM Activities
3 Kids Craft Ideas for your Independence Day for Kids Lesson Plan
There are plenty of fun ways that you can craft your way into the 4th of July. If you are looking for some great Independence Day craft ideas, we have some for you. But, before you look at those options, all you have to do to come up with your own is to think about the day, the reason for the day, the colors, and the fun it will offer.
There are plenty of things that you can do to make this day truly amazing. If you are ready to celebrate, here are a few craft ideas to take into consideration. You can find full details on how to make them throughout the web or use your own creativity.
The Pinwheel.
Nothing shouts Happy 4th like the pinwheel. TO make them, simply fold a piece of paper into a star shape. You will want to create a center section that will allow you to place a pushpin through it. Have the kids color the paper red, white, and blue before they begin folding.
You’ll need squares to work with. Place the two sheets together. Then, cut the first sheet from the corners towards the middle about halfway. Fold the corners to the middle, secure with a push pin around a pencil at the back.
Flags.
Flags are the most traditional of ways to celebrate the 4th. For a simple design, have your child color a picture of the flag on a piece of paper. Then, attach one side of the flag to popsicle sticks for a pole and they have a great-looking flag to wave!
Stars.
Another great way to show your pride is with stars. Here have each child decorate paper stars on the front and the back in a wide range of designs. Anything goes! Red, white and blue work best.
Then, place a small hole through the top of each and string them together. You can hang at your 4th of July celebration for a great way to celebrate. It makes a great decoration for around the table too.
You can find lots of fun craft projects for the 4th of July. In fact, you can make it a history lesson with a few great fact sheets, coloring sheets about the Founding Fathers, and a wide range of other things.
Maybe this is a good time to tell you that I am going to have lapbooks for each of our country’s presidents coming up – and unit studies for older kids that are compatible?
One thing is for sure. You will want the kids to enjoy themselves. Just getting out the red, white, and blue finger paint and letting them go at it is enough to make this a very special celebration of the 4th of July!
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